Book V

father had been convicted, and in a regular prosecution
brought him down with a verdict, thus inaugurating his
own talent and adult career with a fine piece of work.4

With C. Flaminius too parental authority was equally
potent. As Tribune of the Plebs he had promulgated a law
to distribute the Gallic territory individually against the
will and resistance of the senate, vehemently opposing its
entreaties and threats and undeterred even by the levying
of an army against him should he persist in the same purpose.
But when his father placed a hand on him as he was
already on the rostra putting the law to vote, overborne by
private authority he came down from the platform. Nor
did the assembly which he left in the lurch censure him by
even the slightest murmur.5

Great are these works of male piety, but perhaps the action
of Claudia the Vestal Virgin was more powerful and
courageous than them all. Seeing her father at his triumph
being dragged from his car by the violent hand of a Tribune
of the Plebs, she put herself between the two with amazing
speed and so drove off a mighty power fired by enmities.
So the father led one triumph to the Capitol while the
daughter led another to the temple of Vesta, nor could it be
determined which of the two should be praised the more,
he who had victory by his side or she who had piety.6

Forgive me, most ancient hearth, give me your pardon,
eternal fire, if the scheme of my work advance from your
most sacred temple to a place in the city more necessary
than splendid. For by no harshness of Fortune, no squalor,